Russian Foreign Minister, Sergey Lavrov has praised the just ended US-Russia talks in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Lavrov stated that the talks were “very useful,” as the sides “did not just listen to each other, but heard each other.”
He added, “I have every reason to believe that the American side understands our position.”
Also, Lavrov disclosed that the two sides agreed to ensure “the speediest possible” appointment of ambassadors to both countries and the removal of barriers that “for many years, and primarily the Biden administration in the last four years, erected between our diplomatic missions.”
Lavrov added that the two sides agreed to start “as soon as possible” the process for Ukraine peace talks, and Russia will be waiting for the US to confirm its representatives for the talks and then appoint their own.
He spoke about “creating conditions” for broader US-Russia cooperation, including on “resuming consultations on geopolitical issues,” and “removing the artificial barriers in the way of mutually beneficial economic cooperation.”
On Ukraine, Lavrov said that there is “a mutual desire” to find solutions, and Russia will wait for the US to appoint its representatives. “After that, relevant consultations will begin and will be regular,” he said.
Lavrov Calls Any Deployment Of NATO Forces In Ukraine ‘Completely Unacceptable’
When asked about the potential of any deployment of NATO troops to Ukraine, Lavrov dismissed the proposal as “completely unacceptable.”
“We noted that President Trump was the first of western leaders to say that dragging Ukraine into NATO was one of the main [reasons behind] what is happening, one of Biden’s biggest mistakes. Had Trump been the President, that would have never happened.
“President Putin stressed more than once that NATO’s expansion and the absorption of Ukraine by NATO was a direct threat to the Russian Federation and our sovereignty.”
Sergey Lavrov
He asserted that any appearance by armed forces from the NATO countries under “some flag, under the European flag or under flags, doesn’t change anything.” He added, “It is of course completely unacceptable.”
Also, Lavrov was asked about President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s comments that he would not recognise the outcome of any talks between the US and Russia, without Ukraine present at the table.
He declined to comment, saying that President Putin has already covered this “in great detail.”
Lavrov then ended the news conference reflecting that today’s talks were “not unsuccessful.”
Separately, Kremlin Spokesperson, Dmitry Peskov in speech to reporters, said that Russia is not against Ukraine joining the European Union as it does not see this as threat to its security.
He said that the issue of Ukraine’s accession to the European Union was its sovereign right and that Russia did not intend to dictate to Kyiv how it should approach the question – but it would draw a line when it comes to military alliances.
“We are talking about integration and economic integration processes. And here, of course, no one can dictate anything to any country, and we are not going to do that.
“But our stance on matters related to security, defence or military alliances is completely different. There’s another issue there, and it’s well known to everyone.”
Dmitry Peskov
Also, Peskov said that Russian President, Vladimir Putin would be ready to talk to Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy “if necessary,” but appeared to question his legitimacy. He told reporters, “Putin himself said that he would be ready to negotiate with Zelensky if necessary but the legal basis of agreements needs discussion considering the reality that Zelensky’s legitimacy can be questioned.”
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